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 Replies: 35 / Views: 7,217 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Quote:
Hello,
Am I close? Are you happy? Some people like some cameras are just better than others at taking pictures, when you feel you have done everything possible to get the best picture then thats about all you can do. what works for one camera may not work for others. I only use macro mode because my camera is only a 3.2MP some others use zoom only because theirs is a higher MP camera. The lighting is what can make or break a picture because if you use to much the coin looks washed out and if you use to little you usually do not see any details but as soon as you get it all just right you should be happy and at least have good enough pictures to post on your website as you say you want to do |
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Valued Member
 United States
420 Posts |
Hello, Bryan, am I happy? Well yes and no. I can't make out the initials on the reverse but that is not the point of the entire coin. I think the obverse and reverse look terrible on my website even at 100% magnification. As my local coin dealer always tells me, "Coins aren't going to look good magnified 100 times." Anything that can be scanned with my scanner looks great. In this case it is not "perfect." I think the Sac that triggersmob posted is better but mine is unique to me. In another post SuperDave a moderator said this: Quote:
Words of wisdom? You're not going to like this.
Get over yourself. This is the third thread you've posted in the third forum, just because you won't take the time and effort to figuring out how to take good pictures of your coins. Maybe your camera just_won't take good pics. So what? Your coins are still just as good as they were before you tried to shoot them.
If you never take a good picture of a coin, they will still be just as nice.
C'mon. Get a grip.
Did I like it, no, it made me feel really bad. However, I learned, while eating a club sandwich with a chocolate shake, that this hobby is just like what I do for a living, I'm a computer tech. I'm an expert in some areas and in other areas I'm lost. Does it make me a bad tech? No. I can't take a "perfect" picture of an uncirculated coin. Does that make me a bad coin collector, No. Does that mean I should give up collecting uncirculated coins of any type that won't scan well? No. So, they won't go on my website, big deal. There is a member here, his name escapes me, but he has over 2000 Mercury dimes, did he photopraph each one? I doubt it, so why should I worry about it? I bought my scanner because when I first started collecting I knew I couldn't take pictures of coins. Up until now I have never had to and I'll continue to try and scan every coin and some may work and some may not. This particular uncirculated Sac will look great in a Dansco album regardless if I'm able to take a picture of it. Thanks, Rich |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
<<My camera is a Nikon coolpix S560 I believe, just a 10 megapixel point and shoot.>><--Here's your problem!
I can't believe that no one in this thread haven't hit on the problem, which I copied and pasted from one of your own posts. Any point-and-shoot is NOT going to give you acceptable photos of a coin, no matter whether it's a Nikon or a pinhole camera, and the "Am I close?" photo is an amazing try and probably the best that you'll get with a Coolpix, or any point-and-shoot. You really need to consider investing in a set of close-up lenses. I'm not familiar with a Coolpix, but unless it has the capability of allowing mountable lenses, add-on or bayonet, you'll never achieve the level that triggersmob did with his pic of the Sac. Great idea for diffused, light Steve, btw.
As for your scanner not producing an acceptable photo ... yes, you'll have to remove your coin from its holder, as a scanner has a VERY critical depth of focus, plus the plastic holder does not permit the proper amount of light to hit the coin. I can't imagine that a scanner would not eventually produce an acceptable photo, but here's where you'll have to learn to manipulate your scanner's software to produce the most acceptable photo. If I can do it with a $10 Epson scanner that I bought at a garage sale, anyone can! Perhaps you'd be better off working with your scanner than your point-and-shoot camera? Good luck!
Edited by pls
02/27/2010 11:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
Here are my 2 cents: Triggersmob - that setup is awesome, clever, and ingenious! Awesome pic of the Sac. The image jumps out! Kudos to you sir!  Pls -> snitchard's Nikon specs-out better than the one that I have been using, yet I believe that I'm getting fairly acceptable shots. It has taken me a while to figure out viable techniques and accessories.  Rich -> You must shoot as perpendicular as possible to the face of the coin! No angles! You might want to consider acquiring a copy stand. For the amount of money you'll spend on one decent coin, you can buy a decent one. Also, perhaps take a look at these past CCF topics below: https://goccf.com/t/60746https://goccf.com/t/60829Good luck. |
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
Hello pls, I have a $100 Epson scanner that usually takes amazing coin pictures, which is why I bought it. Here is an Ike dollar, a 2003 Proof Set, and my latest a 1986 Silver Eagle Bullion coin from my scanner with very little "touch up" work. I realize the silver colored coins in the Proof set look "greenish" but to me I say who cares? I also posted a link to my 1984 Proof Set, which has the same issue and I'm proud to post it on my website. Coin Photos aren't a "true" representation of the coin(s). Believe me I'm VERY picky about my coins as I'm sure a lot of people are.     I think these pictures look amazing! Thanks, Rich Edited by snitchard
02/28/2010 12:23 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
Rich - they look good. But honestly, they look "flat".
That said, you can get more depth and dimension by using a camera. CCF folks told me this fact time and time again, and for a while I insisted on reverting back to using my scanner. In the end though, I took their advice, took the time to figure out the necessary techniques at using a camera for coin shots, and am now happier with the camera results. I still am learning.
The only time I use my scanner now is to scan 'album sheets' of coins for inclusion in my coin database software.
I recommend you heed these folks' advice.
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
Hello CheetahCats, I do appreciate the advice but at the moment I have learned that I do not have the patience to learn coin photography using a camera. There is a setup that I can buy (2 pieces) that would more than likely solve all of my problems. http://store.tabletopstudio-store.com/cophkit.htmlhttp://store.tabletopstudio-store.c...8ilflpa.html I may get to that point but for now I'm still learning to collect. I definitely see where you are coming from though about the depth. However, just to show off my coins here on CCF and my website my scanner works, for now. Thanks, Rich |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
Nice looking ensemble.
With the exception of the lighted panel, I believe your ensemble is basically the "gist" as what has been advised by most of the folks on the thread - Copy stand, angle, lighting, etc.
Good luck!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Contrary to what Pls said, my point-and-shoot has helped me take photos that I feel are acceptable. It is a point-and-shoot Canon SD780IS which cost me about $270, and here is one of my photos, using just my hands. I'm going to invest in a tripod soon, and I suggest you do the same, or perhaps even save up for a better camera, as a scanner will never be as good as a camera, if you ever decide you want to take up coin photography again.   |
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
Hello,
I have come to the conclusion that coin photography is a hobby within the hobby so to speak. Thankfully I do not have to know how to take a picture of a coin to be a coin collector. I use my scanner to scan my coins for my website and also for insurance purposes. My website is nothing "special" or "professional" but it is there for those who may want to learn about collecting or see a collection. I have been told and have learned many times over that coins magnified 100 times, by a scanner or high resolution photo, are NOT going to look good which is why a 10x loupe works well to magnify coins.
I truly admire the folks that can take really amazing coin photos but unfortunately I'm not cut out to do so because I don't have the patience or equipment to get into a hobby inside of a hobby. I know "old school" collectors and dealers who don't inventory or photograph their coins they just enjoy them and aside from my website and insurance stuff for now I'm just going to enjoy my collection.
Thanks,
Rich
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Pillar of the Community
United States
952 Posts |
It is a hobby within the hobby......I am not very good at it, but if you want to list anything on ebay and get a decent price for it you definitely want detailed pics. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
I may have been misled by the term "point-and-shoot", which to me refers to a fixed-lens camera. I still say that a close-up lens will render the best detail as opposed to a camera equipped only with a macro lens. BTW I do not use the LCD screen on my Nikon D60 - I use the viewfinder for the best focus, and I remove my eyeglasses (I am profoundly nearsighted, lol). CheetahCats has posted some excellent suggestions, also. I still don't think we've hit on the solution to snitchard's problem, though. Maybe it's just eyesight?
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
Hello, Quote:
I still don't think we've hit on the solution to snitchard's problem, though. Maybe it's just eyesight? Did I happen to mention that I'm very low vision, legally blind without my contacts in and I cannot see up close without strong correction with my contacts in. My visual acuity is 20/80 or somewhere in there. I think that is why I bought a scanner. Thanks, Rich |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1248 Posts |
white balance is not right...
can you set your camera to the type of lamp you are using, like tungsten, or daylight etc?
might help. and do not use auto white balance.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
693 Posts |
Rich, I saw the post by the moderator that was rude. I even emailed CCF because of it. Just have fun with your coins.......
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Replies: 35 / Views: 7,217 |
First Page
Posted 02/27/2010 11:12 pm
